Here are some new inventions that are going to change the way you make
jewelry: EZ-Crimp clasps, magnetic crimp clasps and Scrimps.
EZ-Crimp
clasps feature a tiny coil that actually crimps onto your beading
wire, making regular crimp tubes unnecessary. They're available in a variety
of styles, such as toggle, S-hook and hook-and-eye. You can also use plain
EZ-Crimp ends and then add your own clasp.
To use an
EZ-Crimp, pass the wire end inside the crimp end, and then use a large
crimping tool to squeeze the bars together. The coil inside flattens to
securely hold the wire in place. Because the large crimping tool has a
rounded jaw, the entire coil is squeezed shut, which holds the wire firmly
in place without damaging the wire. Tug gently on end to make sure it’s
secure.
EZ-Crimp ends give your designs a more professional-looking finish without
the hassle of the two-step crimping process. You can see the difference
between a clasp that's attached with a regular crimp tube and a clasp
that's attached with an EZ-Crimp end.
You can also use EZ-Crimp ends with multiple strands, as long as the
wires will fit inside the EZ-Crimp end. That makes it simple to create
your own chandelier earrings or multiple strand designs.
MagnaCrimps
are special magnetic clasps with crimp ends. They can be crimped onto
flexible beading wire using a regular crimping tool. The ends are about
1mm so you can fit several beading wires inside if to make multiple strand
designs.
You can also use a special finding called a “Scrimp”
to attach a clasp. A Scrimp is a crimp end that contains a miniature screw.
Pass the wire end inside a Scrimp, and then turn the screw to hold the
wire in place.
Scrimps are
a great way to finish a design because they are completely removable,
which allows you to adjust the length or pattern after attaching the clasp.
Use a Scrimp in conjunction with a Wire Guardian for a secure finish.
A Wire Guardian is a small hollow loop that fits over the end of beading
wire where it attaches to a clasp. A Wire Guardian prevents abrasion and
breakage. To use a Wire Guardian, pass the beading with through the Scrimp,
Guardian and clasp. Then pass the wire back through the Guardian and Scrimp.
Turn the screw to secure the Scrimp.
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